Folding table.



No. 63l,556. Patented Aug. 22, I899.

H G. BUSHNELL.

FOLDING TABLE.

(Application filed Apr. 12. 1898.)

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H. G. BUSHNELL.

FOLDING TABLE.

(Application filed Apr. 12. 1898.) (No Model.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HARLEY. e. BUSHNELL, 0F MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA.

FOLDING TABLE,

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 631,556, dated August 22, 1899.

Application filed April 12, 1898- To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HARLEY G. BUSHNELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Minneapolis, in the county of Hennepin and State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Tables; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to folding tables, and has for its object to improve the construction of the same, as hereinafter described; and to this end it consists of the novel devices and combinations of devices hereinafter described, and defined in the claims.

The preferred form of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, where-,

in like numerals indicate'like parts throughout the several views. v I

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved table shown as set up for use. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section taken approximately on the line 00 00 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a section corresponding to Fig. 2', but showing the legs of the table as folded. Fig. 4. is a longitudinal vertical section taken approximately on the line :0 00 of Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a transverse vertical section taken approximately on the line 00 m of Fig. 6. Fig; 6 is a View corresponding in the line of its section to Fig. 2, but showing the table-top as extended to one extreme position and projected over a bed to adapt it for use as an invalids table; and Fig. 7 is a detail View of a portion of one of the upper ends of the cross legs or table-supports.

1 indicates the table-top, which, as shown,

is provided with a depending oblong frame 2,

in the sides of which longitudinally-extended grooves or channels 3 are formed.

4. 5 indicate a pair of cross-legs or tablesupports, which are pivoted together at their intermediate portions by a pivot-rod 6. The said legs 4 and 5 each comprise a pair of parallel bars, the lower portions of which are connected by spindles or rods 7 and the upper ends of-which are rigidly connected by transverse bars 8. At their upper ends the legs 4 and 5 are provided with outwardlyprojecting pins or studs 9, that work in the slots 3. The upper ends of the bars of the $erial No. 677,295. (No model.)

thereof may be shifted with respect to the said legs so as to stand centrally thereof, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 4, or may be shifted so as to project from one side thereof, as illus trated in Fig. 6. l

A common locking device serves to secure the legs against spreading or folding movements and the top againstlongitudinal shifting movement or other movement in a horizontal plane.

This lock device, as shown and preferred, is in the form of a lock-bar 11, extended centrally and longitudinally of the table-top and pivoted at its ends in the end flanges of the frame 2 and provided on one edge with a series of notches 12, formed between teeth or projections13. In the particular construction shown these notches l2 and teeth or projections 13 are formed by a metallic strip bent upon itself and rigidly secured to one edge of said bar 11. This lockbar 11 is adapted to be moved through an arc of approximately ninety degrees or from its operating position (shown in Figs. 2, 5, and 6) into its inoperative position (shown in Fig. 3 and by dotted lines in Fig. 5) by means of a small lever or finger-piece l4, projecting from one end of the same, just within the frame or flange 2. When said lock-bar is thrown into its operative position, the upper portions or transverse tie-bars 8 of the supporting-legs will be caught and held within the notches12 or between the teeth 13, and when so held the the legs can neither spread nor fold, and the table-top cannot be adjusted or moved in a horizontal plane. However, it

is evident that when the lock-bar 11 isturned, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 5 and by full lines in Fig. 3, the legs may be freely moved with respect to. each other and the top freely shifted with respect to the said legs.

For ordinary use the table-top would be adjusted centrally of the supporting-legs, as

illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, and t; but if to be used by a person lying or sitting in bed the table-top may be adjusted to one side, so that it may be projected over the bed, as shown in Fig. 6. This capability of adjustment makes the table very eflicient for use by invalids.

W hen the legs are folded, as shown in Fig. 3, it will be noted that they do not project beyond the ends of the table-top, but are approximately coextensive therewith.

This table maybe very cheaply constructed and is very efficient in its many possible uses.

It will of course be understood that I do not limit myself to the specific details of construction above described; but, on the contrary, it is thought to be obvious that various alterations and modifications of the device shown may be made within the scope of my invention.

\Vhat I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is as follows:

1. A table comprising vertically-adjustable legs, a table-top supported by and shiftable with respect to both of said legs, and a common lock device movable into and out of engagement with the said two legs, whereby said legs may be locked with respect to each other, and said table-top with respect to both of said legs, by a common action of said lock device, substantially as described.

2. A table-top comprising pivoted crosslegs, a table-top supported by and shiftable with respect to both of said legs, and a common lock device on said table-top mounted for movement into and out of engagement with both of said cross-legs, whereby the said cross-legs may be looked as spread and said table-top as adjusted with respect to said legs, by a common action of said lock device, substantially as described.

In a table, the combination with a tabletop formed with longitudinal grooves or runways, of apair of pivoted cross-legs both having projections that slide ad justably in said grooves or runways, and a common lock mounted on said table-top and engageable and disengageable with both of said legs, by common movements, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

4. Ina table, the combination with a tabletop provided with longitudinal grooves or runways, of the pair of pivoted cross-legs both having projections that work adjustably in said grooves or runways, and a pivoted lockbar notched or serrated on one edge for engagement with the upper portions of said cross-legs to lock the same as spread and said top as adjusted, substantially as described.

5. In a table, the combination with the top 1, 2 with longitudinal grooves or runways 3, of the pivoted cross-legs 4, 5, the transverse bars 8 and projecting pins or studs 9 at their upper end, which pins 9 work adjustably in said grooves or runways 3, and the lock-bar 11 pivoted in the top flange 2 and provided with the notches 12 for engagement with said cross-bars 8, substantially as described.

6. A table, comprising a table-top, a pair of pivoted cross-legs or supports both connected to said top and capable of sliding adj ustably with respect thereto, and a lock-bar pivoted to the table-top and provided with notches or serrations adapted to be turned into and out of engagement with the upper portions of said legs, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HARLEY G. BUSHNELL.

\Vitnesses:

Bussm B. NELsoN, F. I). MERcHAN'r. 

